Mansur Yavaş’s harsh reaction to the Ministry of Interior: “You cannot accuse us of a crime, you won’t find any!”

Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş held a press conference regarding the investigation authorization recently initiated against him by the Ministry of Interior. Yavaş clarified issues that the public has been curious about following the Ministry of Interior's decision.

At the beginning of the meeting, Yavaş commemorated the attack that took place at a school in Kahramanmaraş and emphasized that the environment of social violence must be analyzed. He underscored that physical measures alone would not be enough to combat violence, and that the mental health and hope of young people must be strengthened.

Criticizing the judicial processes, Yavaş drew attention to the increasing judicial practices targeting opposition municipalities. He stated that files from the past are being brought back to the agenda and turned into a political process.

“YOU CANNOT FIND EVIDENCE TO ACCUSE US”

Following the investigation launched against him, Yavaş stated that the allegations against them were completely baseless. Yavaş firmly rejected the corruption allegations, saying, “What will you find? Nothing! We do not take money, we do not take what is forbidden. You won’t find anything!”

Yavaş also pointed out that numerous complaints made regarding past municipal administrations have remained inconclusive and that judicial processes must be fair. Referring to the Melih Gökçek era, Yavaş said, “In some investigations, the Gökçek family constantly appears before us, both in the courthouse and in the inspection boards. Despite this, our complaints do not find a response, which means injustice.”

Stating that they are not afraid of being put on trial and that the law should be applied equally to everyone, Yavaş said, “We are not afraid of being tried. However, we want to be tried fairly and in accordance with the procedure.”

CRITICISM OF DOUBLE STANDARDS IN THE SYSTEM

Another important topic raised by Yavaş was the practices that reveal the double standards experienced in judicial processes. Pointing out that retroactive investigations are repeatedly opened for Republican People's Party (CHP) municipalities, he expressed that these practices disregard the will of the people. He emphasized that old files are being brought to the agenda to arrest mayors who were elected to office, and that detention has become a method of punishment.

Demanding that the results of the investigations opened against them by the Ministry of Interior be reported transparently to the public and the municipality, Yavaş stated that they have not received answers to the petitions submitted, and therefore their right to appeal has been eliminated.

REACTION TO THE NEW INVESTIGATION AND ITS GROUNDS

The grounds for the new investigation announced in recent days are based on the allegation that vehicles belonging to the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality were used in an election rally in Karabük in 2023. However, both the municipality and Yavaş emphasized in their statements that no direct instruction or illegality was detected in the file.

Yavaş gave examples of how investigation authorizations were granted in past investigations despite no criminal element being detected. He also criticized the fact that allegations regarding former Mayor Melih Gökçek and his era were not examined as required, saying, “No action is taken regarding irregularities committed in past periods on the grounds that no evidence can be found. But when it comes to us, files are constantly opened and investigations are launched.”

“I AM CALLING OUT TO THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR: ACT FAIRLY”

Yavaş added the following to his statement: “Our name cannot be associated with any corruption or anything forbidden in any way. Despite this, we continue to be pressured for various reasons. However, not even the slightest allegation can be found that we have taken money or enriched a relative. It was not easy to manage this with such cleanliness; we will continue to be an example to the people of Ankara and all of Turkey in this regard.”

At the end of the meeting, Yavaş underscored that conducting investigation processes in an objective and impartial manner is vital for the future of local governments and called on the Ministry of Interior to act fairly.

Following Yavaş's statements, the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality issued a new written statement stating that Yavaş had no direct involvement in the investigation, and that the process would be conducted transparently and the public would be informed.